Attachable toothbrush protector



July 31, 1934. v. E. ROBISON ATTACHABLE TOOTHBRUSH PROTECTOR [f 605 ISO/V Filed Aug. 14, 1953 Patented July 31, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application August 14,

3 Claims.

The invention relates to a new and improved tooth brush protector having a casing in which the brush head is encased when not in use to keep it clean and sanitary. 7

One object of the invention is to provide a construction in which the protecting casing remains movably connected with the tooth brush and is slidable from the brush head along the brush handle to expose the brush for use, and vice versa.

Another object is to provide an extension for the rear end of the brush handle onto which the casing may be slid so that it will not interfere with gripping of said handle, and said extension preferably constitutes a suspender by which the brush and protector are normally suspended.

A further object is to provide a simple, light, inexpensive and convenient construction which may be easily and quickly attached to a tooth brush and may if desired be detached when the brush is worn out, and attached to a new brush. With the foregoing in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, description being accomplished by reference to the accompanying drawing.

Figs. 1 and 2 are side elevations looking in directions at right angles to each other, showing the protected brush suspended by means of the handle extension or suspender.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the protecting casing slid upwardly onto the handle extension or suspender.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the casing in an intermediate position.

In the drawing above briefly described, a preferred construction has been shown but minor variations may be made within the scope of the invention as claimed, and any appropriate material or materials may be used.

An elongated casing 5 is provided of a size to receive the brush head 6 of an ordinary tooth brush, said casing having ventilating openings 7. The rear end of the casing ,5 is closed at 8 but is provided with an opening 9 through which the brush handle 10 extends, and said casing is provided at its front end with a movable closure 11. This closure is formed with side flanges 12 which are pivoted at 13 to opposite sides of the casing 5, the pivotal axis being preferably so located that the pressure of the brush against the closure will open the latter when the casing is slid rearwardly along the brush handle. The closure 11 may well be held closed by friction.

If desired, the casing 5 may be provided with an apertured suspension lug 14 for engagement with a hook or the like to suspend the brush and protector.

The rear end of the brush handle 10 is pro- 1933, Serial No. 685,059

vided with an extension 15 onto which to slide the casing 5 from said handle when the brush is to be used so that said casing will not interfere with gripping said handle. The extension 15 is preferably in the form of afiat strip connected with the handle 10 by a link 16, and said strip is herein shown as provided with an opening 1'7 for engagement with a hook, nail or the like 18 as seen in Figs. 1 to 3 for the purpose of suspending the brush and protector. Either the extension 15 or the lug 14 may be used for this purpose.

Normally, the brush head is within the casing 5 as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, and is thus protected and kept clean and sanitary, whether suspended by the extension 15 or the lug 14 or merely laid down. When the brush is to be used, the casing 5 is pulled rearwardly onto the brush handle and then onto the extension 15 where it will not not interfere with use of the brush in the usual way. After use of the brush, the casing 5 is restored to its protecting position and the closure 11 is again closed.

It will be seen from the foregoing that novel and desirable provision has been made for carrying out the objects of the invention, and attention is again invited to the possibility of making minor variations over the present disclosure.

I claim:-

1. In a tooth brush protector, a casing to receive the brush head, said casing having a rear end wall provided with an opening through which the brush handle passes, said casing having a movable closure for its front end, said casing being rearwardly slidable along the brush handle to expose the bristles for use, said closure being pivoted to said casing on an axis allowing said closure to swing open as it is pulled rearwardly against the brush head when sliding the casing rearwardly.

2. In a tooth brush protector, a casing to receive the brush head, said casing being rearwardly slidable from the brush head along the brush handle to expose the bristles for use, and an extension connected with the rear end of said handle, said casing being slidable from the handle onto the extension to prevent said casing from interfering with gripping of the handle for use.

3. In a tooth brush protector, a casing to receive the brush head, said casing having a rear end wall provided with an opening through which the brush handle passes, said casing having a movable closure for its front end, said casing being rearwardly slidable along the brush handle to expose the bristles for use, and an extension connected with the rear end of said handle, said casing being slidable from the handle onto the extension to prevent said casing from interferin with gripping of the handle for use.

V. EDWARD ROBISON. 

